KVIC generates employment in villages of Leh

For the first time after Independence, Khadi seems to be exploring the remotest areas of the nation for providing the opportunities of employment to the villagers there.

On September 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at Varanasi that the nation is all set to make record production of honey like crops while distributing 500 bee-boxes there among 50 local farmers. The very next day of Prime Minister's inspirational words, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) distributed 500 bee-boxes among tiger attack victims widows, SC/ST and other unemployed mass of sleepy Bali island under Sunderban of West Bengal and inaugurated 'Tiger Victim Khadi Katai Kendra' there, by providing 75 high-yield eight-spindle New Model Charkhas (NMCs). Khadi spinning training on NMCs to 75 women of the Bali Village has already been imparted and bee-keeping training to 50 candidates of this village has also been given through KVIC's expert trainers.

After four days, i.e. on September 22, the KVIC distributed 1750 bee-boxes among 175 tribal people in the remotest areas of Gujarat.

On September 25, it was the turn of Kashmir's Kraals (potters), who got a new lease of life as KVIC distributes one electric potter wheels, one set of pug mill, one set of blunger and one set of gas fired kiln to each group of 10 potters in altogether 160 beneficiaries in militancy-effected Pampore district of Jammu and Kashmir.

On the next day, when KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena went to Leh – the erstwhile Capital of Himalayan Kingdom of Ladadh, to inaugurate the first-ever district level Khadi exhibition there, he thought to establish the Gandhian tool of self-reliance in the hilly land of Buddha. "I had a long and fruitful discussion with Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Dorjey Mutup along with his council colleagues, at Leh on September 27 for starting Khadi developmental activities at the outmost hilly hamlets there. The KVIC has initially decided to give 25 Charkhas and 5 looms to one village of Leh region, 20 electric potter wheels to other one and 500 bee-boxes to the third village in a month's time – after imparting proper training to the beneficiaries," he said, adding, "While through spinning activities the villagers will start earning from Rs 150 to Rs 200 per day, the electric potter wheel will enhance per day income of a potter from Rs 100 to at least Rs 300. Similarly, from 10 Bee boxes to one person, he will start earning a minimum Rs 50,000 per year."

It may be noted that in the last three years, KVIC has successfully implemented its Khadi activities across the nation, following the vision of Mahatma Gandhi - to empower the poor of the poorest.